so you don't think yakupov is the best of those 4 players? hmm, interesting

Are you changing the goalpost? You said "BY FAR". And no, I do not think Yakupov is TODAY the best player of the 4 BY FAR.

But even if I did, I would have to recognize that those players are all good players, who perhaps fit our needs better than Yakupov AND the proposal in question has ALL THREE of them coming to Edmonton.

Can you honestly say that if you were Eakins dressing the next lineup for Edmonton that you wouldn't think twice about dressing Simmonds for some more grit in the top 6, or Couturier to help Gordon shoulder the defensive responsibilities at C? Especially with Yak's continued struggles?